Coach for America's Joe Ehrmann Will Come to Baylor to Address Societal Issues in Sports

WACO, Texas (Feb. 21, 2014) - He has been called "The Most Important Coach in America." He is one of the 100 Most Influential Sports Educators in America, was named Syracuse University's Most Distinguished Alumni and was the Colts Man of the Year.

He is president of Coach for America and former professional football player Joe Ehrmann, and he will be visiting Baylor University's campus Monday, Feb. 24, and Tuesday, Feb. 25, to address various damaging myths and stereotypes in sports. These lectures are co-sponsored by George W. Truett Seminary's Sports Chaplaincy/Ministry program, Baylor Athletics, Bobo Spiritual Life and the department of religion in Baylor's College of Arts & Sciences.

Though he has a strong background in sports, Ehrmann spreads his focus outside the athletic arena. He has co-founded organizations addressing poverty, racism and social justice, worked to help fathers become more involved with their children and strived to prevent rape and other forms of male violence.

The mission of his current organization, Coach for America, is "to inform, inspire and initiate individual, communal and societal change that will empower men and women to be their very best - personally, professionally and relationally."

That mission and Ehrmann's lecture topic align with the vision of Truett's Sports Chaplaincy/Ministry program, which "aims to educate sports leaders, ministers, churches and chaplains to responsibly engage the social, moral and theological issues in sports in order to participate in and minister to sports faithfully as Christians," said John White, Ph.D., director of the program.

"Sports is often neglected in theological discussions, and because of this silence, we want to offer a holistic voice which witnesses to authentic transformation of and in sports."

Ehrmann will give three lectures Monday during Baylor Chapel services at 9:05, 10:10 and 11:15 a.m. in Waco Hall, 624 Speight Ave. Balcony seating will be reserved for outside guests during these services. He will address issues of gender identity that tend to become clouded through sports.

"Regardless of whether someone plays or watches sports, the sheer ubiquity of sports impacts positively and negatively almost every other sphere of life," White said.

On Tuesday Ehrmann will hold an additional lecture from 11 to 11:50 a.m. in Paul Powell Chapel in Truett, followed by a question-and-answer luncheon in Truett's Great Hall. Truett is located at 1100 S. Third St.

Before he leaves campus, Ehrmann will share with the Baylor Athletics administration his coaching philosophy, as outlined in his recent book "InsideOut Coaching."

All lectures on Monday and Tuesday lectures are free and open to the public. For more information on Ehrmann and Coach for America, click here.

Baylor University is a private Christian university and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The university provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 15,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating university in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 11 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.

ABOUT GEORGE W. TRUETT THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

Baylor University's George W. Truett Theological Seminary provides theological education leading to the Master of Divinity, the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, the Master of Theological Studies, or the Doctor of Ministry degrees that are centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ and consistent with historic Baptist commitments to prepare persons to carry this gospel to the churches and the world. Within the M.Div. degree program, students can choose concentrations in Biblical Studies and Theology, Christian Education, Ministry Leadership, Missions and World Christianity, Worship Leadership, Spiritual Formation, Sports Ministry, and Youth/Family/Student Ministry. Truett Seminary also offers three Dual Degree programs - a M.Div./MSW and MTS/MSW through a partnership with Baylor's School of Social Work, a M.Div./Master of Music through a partnership with the Baylor's School of Music, and a M.Div./MBA through a partnership with Baylor's Hankamer School of Business. Visit www.baylor.edu/truett to learn more.